Traveling block



Aug. 25, 1936.

6. BLACK TRAVELING BLOCK Filed Aug. 10, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY.

L. c. BLACK TRAVELING BLO 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10, 1935 leg/er afigvgi z TTORNEY.

Aug. 25, 1936. L. c. BLACK 2,052,075

TRAVELING BLOCK Filed Aug. 10, 1955 5 Sheets-Shut 3 FIE E INVENTOR. [es/ex- C. B/acz ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 25, 1936 NI'TED STATES PATT TRAVELING BLOCK Lester 0. Black, Los Angeles, walli'.

Application August 10, 1935, Serial No. 35,599 9Claims. (01. 254 -192) l cludes a crown block carried by the top or water table of the derrick, in conjunction with a traveling block. In the construction of both the crown and traveling blocks, it is now conventional practice to utilize sheaves journaied on central shafts,

75 with load-transmitting members connecting the shafts to the derrick top for a crown block, or to the tool supporting clevis in the case of a traveling block. For a drilling operation to a moderate depth, such conventional tackle may give satisfactory service. However, the trend in recent years has been to operate at increased depths, until it is now common to drill to depths of from 9,000 to 10,000 feet. Drilling to such great depths has greatly increased hoisting loads on the tackle, and in addition hoisting speeds required have been increased. This isparticularly true where rotary drilling apparatus is employed, which necessitates the removal and replacement of the entire string of drill pipes when the drilling bit is replaced.

In an attempt to meet the more severe requirements of present day drilling operations, equipment builders have continually increased the size of the crown and traveling blocks,-without altering the general mode of construction employed. The problem has been complicated by the fact that cables of increased diameter are required for the deep well rotary drilling rigs, as for example a cable one inch and a quarter in diameter.

'40 With the present type of construction, equipment builders cannot employ sheaves sufliciently large in diameter to meet standard wire line practice,

without re-design of the entire derrick, since the present crown and traveling blocks have been in- 45 creased to such a size as to utilize all available space. Therefore, on installations now in use on deep well rotary drilling projects. the cables operate on sheaves which are considerably smaller in diameter than recommended for the cable em- 59 ployed, thereby greatly shortening the life of the cable.

Aside from the fact that present equipment builders have been unable to provide sheaves of a proper diameter for use with the heavy cables employed, their attempts to cope with the heavier loads and greater hoistening speeds have resulted in crown and traveling blocks of excessive size which are cumbersome to handle. It is desirable to have a traveling block relatively short in length, since an excessively long block red quires a taller derrick to properly rack the drill pipe. An increase in thethickness of bothth'e crown and traveling blocks is even more serious. This is because the space between the center line of the derrick and the side on which the drill pipe is racked, is limited. Likewise, a relatively thick travelingblock makes it necessary for the derrick man to swing the elevators beyond one side of the block, in order to attach'them to the 'drill pipe, and the amount of such swinging move it ment is increased with an increase in thickness of the traveling block.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a. traveling block for well drilling, which will avoid the disadvantages outlined above for a traveling block, of conventional design. The construction disclosed herein afiords adequate load carrying capacity for deep well drilling, with sheaves of a proper diameter to operate with heavy cables, and at the same time the block is of reduced thickness and length.

Referring to the drawings: 7 Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a traveling blockincorporating the present invention, onehalf of the block being shown in cross section.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly in crosssection, illustrating a modification of the block shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional detail illustrating a further modification of the block shown in Figs.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, in cross-section,

' showing a further modification. to

Fig. 6 is an end view of the drum and sheave assembly incorporated in the modification of Fig. 5.

Fig. 'l is a detail showing one of the side plates incorporated in the modification of Fig. 5.

A particular feature of the traveling block constructed in accordance with my invention, is that it does not utilize conventional sheaves having spokes extending from a central hub. Instead of such conventional sheaves, I make use do of rings of relatively large internal diameter, which are journaled on the outer periphery of a drum or like cylindrical structure. Thus, referring to Figs. 1 and 2, I employ a plurality of ring shaped sheaves it, the outer peripheries of which are provided with grooves i i to receive the hoisting cable. These sheaves are disposed in side-by-side relationship upon a cylindrically shaped drum H.

In order to suitably journal the sheaves to the drum, and at the same time afford an interlock preventing lateral displacement, the inner peripheries of the sheaves are provided with grooves |3 to form ball-bearing races. The outer periphery of the drum I2 is likewise formed to provide spaced annular grooves M. Balls iii are disposed in the grooves or races iii and it, in order to properly journal the sheaves, and at the same time to lock the sheaves in their operating positions. The balls l8 are shown properly spaced by means of cages H. In assembling the sheaves upon the drum, the balls are introduced into the races i3 and it through openings which are normally closed by plugs It.

In order to form a low transmitting connection between the drum l2 and a lower tool clevis 2|, a pair of side frame members 22 are provided. A suitable arrangement for attaching the clevis 2| to the lower extremities of frame members 22, is as follows: The frame members 22 have openings 23 in which the ends of the clevis bar 2| are accommodated. These openings are considerably longer than the corresponding dimensioning of the clevis bar 2|, and the spaces thus afforded above the clevis bar are normally occupied by the removal filler blocks 24. Lips 26 depending from the lower corners of the clevis bar serve to normally interlock with the frame members 22. However, when the-filler blocks 24 are removed the clevis bar can be lifted to disengage it with respect to the frame members. Immediately above the lower portion of the drum l2, the frame members 22 are provided with inwardly extending trunnions 21, which are bored to receive the connecting bolt 28. Removable locking blocks 29 can engage the heads of this bolt to prevent accidental loosening. On that portion of the drum adjacent to the trunnions 21, there is a saddle 3| in which the trunnions 21 rest, as shown in Fig. 2. The load transmitted to the drum by saddle 3| is distributed over a substantial lower segmental portion of the drum by means of webs 32.

Near the upper portion of the drum |2 the side frame members 22 are connected together by bolt 33. This bolt is likewise attached to the drum by means of lugs 34, through which the bolt extends. However, this connection merely assists in maintaining the parts in assembled relationship and does not serve to transmit the main load between the clevis 2| and the drum.

The top of the block is provided with a clevis 36, which is suitably attached to the upper end of frame members 22. For example, a pair of bolts 31 can be provided, which extend through lugs 38 formed on the upper ends of the side frame members.

To facilitate handling of the traveling block by an operator, suitable hand holds 4| can be provided in the side frame members 22. It is also desirable to enclose the sheaves by means of suitable covers or housing sections 42 and 43, which are suitably attached to the side frame members.

Various modifications of the above described traveling block can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 3, instead of forming bearing grooves directly in the periphery of drum l2, such grooves can be formed in a part or parts, which can be removed or repositioned with respect to the drum. Thus in this instance separate grooved races 46 can be assembled on the drum i2, and locked to the drum by suitable means such as a key 41. In the event the lower segments of these races, which carry the load, become worn, the races may be repositioned to present lower unworn segmental portions. As shown in Fig. 4 it is also possible to form the saddle 3| as a part separator with respect to the drum l2. Thus in this instance saddle 3| a is a suitable casting or forging, which is secured to the drum by suitable means such as rivets or cap screws 48.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, in which the provision for transmitting load to the drum is simplified. Thus in this instance the drum 5 i, which corresponds to the drum |2 of Figs. 1 and 2, is provided with annular flanges 52. The side plates 53, corresponding to the frame members 22 of Figs. 1 and 2, are made of sufiicient width to entirely cover the ends of the drum 5|. Each of these side plates is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange or rib 5%, the outer periphery of which is machined to fit the inner periphery of the corresponding flange 5|. The side plates are clamped to the drum by the upper and lower bolts 56. These bolts extend through lugs 51, which are carried by the drum flanges 52.

In the event, after a period of operation, the lower segmental portion of the drum becomes worn, the positioning of the drum with respect to the side plates can be shifted, by temporary removal of bolt 56. As shown in Fig. 6, it is convenient to provide four sets of lugs 51, so that the drum can be shifted to angular increments of either or It will also be evident in connection with this modification that in place of transmitting load through the trunnions 21 and saddle 3| of Figs. 1 and 2, the load is transmitted through the flanges 52 of the drum and the annular ribs 54. Thus the annular flanges 52 serve not only to reenforce the drum, but also serve to uniformly distribute transmission of load to the drum over a relatively large segmental area.

The features and advantages of my traveling block will be apparent from the above description. The sheaves can be made to a diameter adequate to handle heavy cable in conformity with practice recommended by cable manufacturers. The journals for the sheaves are capable of sustaining relatively heavy loads, due to the relatively large area over which the bearing load is distributed. For a given number of sheaves the width of the block is far less than in conventional practice. This is because the sheaves can be made relatively thin, and because, by means of the type of journalling employed, they can be maintained in closely assembled relationship without the use of supplemental spacing means between the sheaves. For a block of a. given load and sheave capacity, the over-all length is at a. minimum, thus making it possible to manipulate the block more readily in various drilling and hoisting operations. In spite of the relatively short length of the block, twisting of the block during hoisting and lowering operations is not encountered to any detrimental degree, due to the reduced thickness, and to the fact that the load is transmitted between the clevis bar 2| and the drum 2, at a point well below the axis of rotation of the sheaves.

I claim:

. i. In a traveling block for oil well drilling, a

plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a hollow drum.

. on which the sheaves are assembled in side-byplurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a hollow drum on which the sheaves are assembled in side-byside relationship, means serving to journal the sheaves to the periphery of the drum, a load supportingclevis disposed below said sheaves, a pair of irame members disposed adjacent oppo-' site ends of the drum, the lower ends of said frame members being attached to said clevis, a saddlemounted on a lower segmental portion of the drum, and trunnion means carried by said frame members and resting upon said saddle.

3. In a traveling block for oil well drilling, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a hollow drum on which the sheaves are assembled in side-byside relationship, av pair of frame members extending diametrically across the ends of the drum, a load supporting clevis securedto corresponding ends of said framing members below the sheaves and the drum, a saddle carried by a lower segmental portion of the drum, and a trunnion carried by said frame members and extending between the same, said trunnion resting upon said saddle, the axis of said trunnion being spaced a substantial distance'below the axis of rotation of said sheaves.

ii. In a traveling blocklor oil well drilling, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, the inner peripheries of the sheaves being grooved to form ball-bearing races, a hollow drum in which the sheaves are assembled in side-by-side relationship, the outer periphery of the drum having annular grooves forming ball-bearing races, ball bearings disposed in said grooves, said ball bearings serving to journal the sheaves to the drum and also serving to lock the sheaves in assembled side-by-side relationship upon the drum, a

pair of frame members extending diametrically" upon opposite ends of thedrum, a load supporting clevis secured to corresponding ends ol said framing members below the sheaves and the drum, a saddle mounted on alower peripheral portion of the drum, and a trunnion secured to the frame members and extending between the same, said trunnion resting upon said saddle and having its axis disposed a substantial distance below the axis of rotation of the sheaves.

5. In a traveling block for oil well drilling,.a plurality of ring shaped sheaves, a hollow drum on which the sheaves are assembled in side-byside relationship, a pair of side plates extending over the end faces of the drum, annular portions formed on the drum and the side plates, said portions being interlitting, means securing the side plates to the drum, said means permitting angular shifting of the drum relative to the side plates through an angle ,of at least and a load supporting clevis secured to corresponding depending ends of the side plates below said sheaves.

6. In a block for oil well drilling a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a drum on which the sheaves are assembled in side-by-side relationship, and means including ball bearings serving to Journal the sheaves to the drum and also serving as the sole means to lock and maintain the sheaves in spaced assembled relationship upon the drum.

7. In a block for oil well drilling, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a drum on which the sheaves are assembled in side-by-side relation-' ship, the inner peripheries of the sheaves being grooved'to form ball bearing races and the outer periphery of the drum having annular grooves likewise forming ball bearing races, and ball bearings disposed in said grooves, said ball bearings serving to journal the sheaves to the drum and also serving as the sole meansto lock and maintain the sheaves in close spaced relationship upon the drum.

8; In a traveling block, a sheave assembly, a pair of side frame members secured to the sheave assembly, corresponding end portions of said frame members extending below the sheaves of said assembly and being provided with opposed openings, a load supporting clevis bar having its ends extending into said openings, the dimensioning of said openings in a vertical direction being substantially greater than the corresponding dimensioning of the bar, depending lips formed on the lower corners of the bar, and removable filler blocks disposed above-the bar and serving in conjunction with the bar to fill said openings.

9. In a traveling block for oil well drilling, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a drum on which the sheaves are assembled in sidey-sicle relationship, the inner peripheries of the sheaves being grooved to form ball bearing races and the outer periphery of the drum having annular grooves likewise forming ball bearing races, ball bearings disposed in said grooves, said ball bear- ,-ings serving to journal the sheaves to the drum and also serving as the sole means to lock the sheaves in close spaced relationship on the drum,

said drum being a one piece integral structure, a pair of framing members extending'adjacent the ends of the drum, annular portions formed on the drum and the side plates, said portions being interfitting for transmitting load forces between the side framing members and the drum and being so formed as to enable the drum to be shifted at least 180 about its axis relative to the framing members, releasable means for locking the framing members to the drum, and a-load supporting clevis secured to corresponding depending ends ot the framing members below said sheaves.

LESTER C. BLACK. 

